Coin-controlled apparatus



COIN CONTROLLED APPARATUS Filed July 5, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. I. K

GIL

I I I I I I I I 9* I I I 5 I REJ'EGTED ACCEPT D cows I COINS Oct. 31,1944.

B. W. FRY

COIN CONTROLLED APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 5, 1940 A A AAAH'HHHH Oct. 31, 1944. B. w. FRY

COIN CONTROLLED APPARATUS Filed July 5, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG. 5.

FIG. 6.

FIG. 8.

Patented Oct. 31, 1944 OOIN-OONTROILED APPARATUS Fry, University City,Mo., assignor Benjamin toiNational Vendors, Ina, St. Louis, 910., acorporation of Missouri Application July I, 1940, Serial No. 944,011

19Claiml.

This invention relates to coin-controlled apparatus, and with regard tocertain more specific features, to a combined coin separator andcounter.

Among the several objects of the invention may be noted the provision ofa combined separator and counter for coins in which only acceptablecoins are counted but all coins for which the machine is adapted areautomatically and positively forced through a testing operation; theprovision of fool-proof apparatus of the class described in which coinsmay be inserted, without requiring additional manual force for effectingoperation of any function of the apparatus but which is positive inoperation under all conditions and which is compact and simple, having alow number of parts. Other objects will be in part obvious and in partpointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the elements and combinations ofelements, features of construction, and arrangements of parts which willbe exemplified in the structures hereinafter described, and the scope ofthe application of which will be indicated in the following claims.

In -the accompanying. drawings, in which is illustratedone of. variouspossible embodiments of the invention,

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of the apparatus with surrounding partsremoved;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary rear elevation showing a coin-started energizingdevice;

Fig. 3 is a vertical section taken on line 9-9 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is an oblique section taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is an oblique, jogged section taken on line 9-5 of Fig. 1,showing the start of a resetting operation by a passing acceptable coin;

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5 showing the relationship of partsjust after resetting;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary view similar to parts Of Fig. 1 with certainparts removed and showing a coin passing through a counter;

Fig. 8 is a detailed plan view of a follower finger taken substantiallyon line 9-4 of Fig. 3; and

Fig. 9 is a wiring diagram.

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout theseveral views of the drawings.

In various United States patents apparatus is shown consisting of athermo-electric circuit which is closed by an insert coin, the Junctionbetween the coin and the circuit being heated to generatethermo-electric current which passes through a current indicator. Theindicator closes a switch in a second circuit including a solenoid orelectromagnet for actuating coindeflecting means. Exemplary patents areEldridge 1,204,'752, Gray et al. 1,921,609 and Wallin et al. 2,107,402.As will appear, a circuit is used herein employing similar principles asa basis of departure for improvement, as can be seen from Fig. 9 herein.

Referring now more particularly to Fig. 1, there is shown at numeral i asupport This is formed as a plate in which is an upper coin inlet orreceiving passage, indicated at 9. Branched with this inlet passage 9are two lower outlet passages I and 1, the former for rejected (orspurious) coins and the latter for accepted (or legal) coins, such asUnited States nickels. Suitable plates 9 are used to cover the passages.Parts of the passages 9 and 1 are defined by th edge 99 of a rotaryrubber wheel 91 and part by a stationary edge 9| on the support Alignedrectangular front and rear openings il in the cover means and thesupport within the region of the inlet 9, provide space for a movableintersecting lever arm |9 (see Figs. 1-3). At the rear of the machinethe lever reaches to a pivot pin I! mounted upon an extension bracket H.The pivoting portion of the lever is formed as a U-shaped knee i9, theend of which opposite to the lever I9 is formed as a downward finger 2|.

Upon the finger 2| rests the pad-like end 29 of a follower bar 29. Thebar 29 is pivoted at 29 for rocking movement. The pivoting of the bar 29is quite loose so that it has a substantial amount of play lateral tothe plane of rotation, as suggested by the dottedr-line position shownin Fig. 3. This follower bar 29 is biased against the finger 2| by abiasing spring 21. It is also normally biased in a counterclockwisedirection (referring to Fig. 2) by the same spring.

The pad 29 at the upper end of the bar 23 slides on finger 2| and isitself laterally moved thereby. The bar 29 also includes an extension 9|composed of insulating material which, when the bar 29 is rocked intothe clockwise position shown in Fig. 2, contacts with one springingcontact 99 of a pair of switch contacts 99, 99, to separate saidcontacts. When the bar is swung counterclockwise to the left, to thedotted line position shown in Fig. 2, the finger 9| permits the contacts99, 99 to spring shut.

The bar 29 includes a follower finger 91 which can drop into the innerportion of a spiral groove 2 assnsss 38 in-a spiral cam 4|. If this camis rotated clockwise (Fig. 2) it will then force the follower 81 to theright. thus car ying the bar 23 to the solid-line position in Figs. 2and 3.

The spiral-cam II is driven to rotate by way of a gear train 43 mountedin a supporting frame ll. The train is driven from the shaft 41 of amotor 48. The motor 49 is energized by an A, C, circuit 88 whichincludes the switch 38, 33.

Operation of the parts of the invention so far described is as follows,referring to Figs. 1-3:

When a coin II (for example a United States five-cent piece) is insertedinto the inlet 3, it is released at the inlet, whereupon it drops downupon the end of the trip lever l3 which intersects said inlet 3 (seedotted line position E). The weight of the coin depresses the lever l3and therefore moves the trip finger 2| to the left (Fig. 3). This movesthe bar 23 from its solidline position (Fig. 3) to the dotted-lineposition, whereupon the biasing spring 21 moves the bar to the left(Fig. 2), the pad 29 while riding on 2| holding the follower 31 clear ofspiral groove 39. The spring 21 also biases the bar 23 to the right(Fig. 3), but the weight of the coin causes the finger 2| to hold thebar 23 with its finger 31 clear of cam 4|. The arcuate form of pad 29assures clearance over a substantial part of the face of cam 4|. Whenthe coin leaves the lever 3, the lever rises, thus permitting thefollower flnger 31 to drop into the spiral groove 39 of the cam near thecam center.

As will be seen from Fig. 8, the groove 39 in the cam 4| is of buttressform and the follower finger is pointed, having a flat buttress-engagingedge 53. This form of follower and groove'assures perfect entry of thefollower into the groove (near the center of the spiral) while at thesame time assuring a subsequent positive drive of the follower radiallyoutward upon rotation of the helical groove 89 in the cam l l Thus thefinger 3|, upon coin insertion, is first pulled away from the switch 33,35, and the latter closes the circuit to energize the motor 49. Thiscauses rotation of the motor shaft 41 and also rotation of the cam 4|through the gear train 43, the follower 31 being at this time in thecenter portion of groove 39 as the cam 4| starts to rotate. The resultis that the follower finger 31 is driven to the right (Fig. 2) by thespiral cam ll until the contact finger 3| reopens the switch 83, 88.Thus a predetermined motor operation is attained for driving the camshaft 85. The lateral bias of spring 21 moves bar 23 to the left toraise lever l3, through 2|, when the coin is clear, so that not untilanother coin is inserted will the follower 31 be lifted clear of the cam4| to be re-set near the center of spiral groove 39.

The cam shaft 55 also carries a rubber wheel 51, which, as a consequenceof'the mechanism above described, is turned only a predetermined amountupon dropping in a coin. The wheel 81 is relatively resilient.

'The rubber wheel 51 is located with the edge 59 thereof located in theplane of said inlet 3, so that as the coin 8| rolls down over the edgeof the depressed lever l3 (see the dotted position E in Fig. 1), theedge of the coin then drops upon the edge of the rotating wheel 51. Atthe same time the coin enters a part of the inlet chute 3 which has theouter arcuate edge 8| upon which the coin rolls under driving actionwhile wedged against the wheel 51 (see position F). Thus the coin II ispositively driven by the wheel to roll over the fixed edge 8|. As thecoin advances, it

oomesunderpressureofaspringflwhichhasa good electrical contact with theframe I at 88 and reaches through an opening 2 to contact the coin inposition F.

At this point it is an object to test the coin for possiblespuriousness. A thermo-electric circuit for this purpose is shown inFig. 9, wherein (see also Fig. 1) numeral 81 indicates a heater coilenergized from the 110 volt circuit 88.

The heater 81 heats a testing contact 1| against which the coin II ispositively rolled by the wheel 81. -The spring 83 constitutes a secondcontact at this point which in connection with the coin closes athermo-electrlc circuit 13. This circuit 13 includes the coil 18 of agalvanometer (current-measuring device). Energization of the coil 18causes movement of an armature 11 to close a relay switch 18, providedthe current is enough in the thermo-electric circuit 13 to effectclosure. This occurs only when an acceptable coin of the proper alloy(such as a United States nickel) is placed between the contacts 1| and63. Spurious coins, such as copper, zinc, lead, aluminum, iron, germansilver, etc., being of improper constituents, either produce so littlecurrent that the switch 18 will not close, or produce reverse current toinduce a tendency for the switch 18 to open wider.

The switch 19 closes a relay circuit 8| in which is a battery 88 (suchas one or more flashlight batteries), which energize a coil 85 of anelectromagnet indicated in Figs. 1 and 5-7.

The relay coil 88 is mounted upon the cover 8 by means of a bracket 81(see Figs. 5 and 6). Pivoted to the bracket at 89 is a magnetic armature8| which, by means of a spring 83, is normally biased to a positionagainst a stop 4 as shown in Fig. 6. In this position the armature 8|interlooks with the deflector pivoted at 91. When not interlocked, thedeflector assumes the normally biased position shown in Fig. 5. This isdue to a spring 99. But the deflector 95 is normally held against biasby the armature 9| (Fig. 6).

Whenever the coil 85 is energized by closing of the contacts 19 (whichimplies that a, thermoelectric current, due to an acceptable coin, hasbeen established in circuit 18), then the armature is pulled up from theinterlocking position shown in Fig. 6 to the position shown in Fig. 5.Thus the deflector 95 is released for bias by spring 99 to the Fig. 5position.

The deflector 85 has a deflector lip |0| which passes through openingsI03 in or near the accepted-coln passage 1. This is at the point wherethe rejected-coin passage 5 branches. Thus if the coin passes the testduring its period of closing the circuit 13, that is, generates enoughcurrent to close contacts 19, the relay coil 85 is energized and byopening the interlock between 9| and 95, permits the deflector lip |0|to jump clear of the inlet passage 1, whereupon the coin fallsgnitossaid inlet. This state of affairs is shown in The deflector 98also includes a tail I08 which, when the deflector is biased as shown inFig. 5, reaches into an opening I01 and intersects the accepted-coinpassage 1. This tail is forced by the accepted coin in passing, asillustrated in Fig. 5, which resets this deflector 95 (Fig. 6). The coil85 having by this time become deenergized (by movement of the coin fromcontacts 68, 1| and opening of switch 19) permits the dropping of thearmature 9| behind the deflector 85 to hold the accuses 3 latter inintersecting position for actuation by the next accepted coin.

Assuming that a spurious or unacceptable coin has been introduced, thenin passing through the contacts 68 and 1| not enough, or the wrongdirection of, current is engendered, so that the relay switch It doesnot close; Thus the relay coil ll does not become energized, and thearmature II remains in interlocking position, as shown in Pig. 6. Such acoin is intercepted by the lip Ill (see position A in Fig. l) anddeflected from entry into the chute 1 and is forced into therejected-coin passage 5 (see position B in Fig-.1).

Positions of an accepted coin in chute I are shown at dotted-linepositions C and D in Fig. 1,

Dotted-line positions I and 1'' show the entering positions for bothacceptable and unacceptable coins.

As soon as any coin, either unacceptable or acceptable, leaves thecontact II, it is no longer supported by the track ii and edge is or thewheel I1, and, except for a slight guiding eflect from a pin ll, dropsfreely. If it is an accepted coin it drops past the biased deflector 9iand into the slot 1, as shown in Fig. '1, and comes into contact with asecond arcuate edge m which is art of said chute or slot I. This edgeI09 is so spaced with respect to the periphery 59 01' the wheel 51 thatthe coin is again gripped to be driven by the wheel, rolling on saidedge I08. That is to say, it is again positively driven as it waspositively driven against the contact 'I l,.

The purpose of this second positive drive is to obtain a positiveforcing of the coin under the tail piece I05 so as positively to resetthe deflector 95 and also positively to force it into contact with thelip iii of a rocker Ill pivoted at H5. Lip lli intersects the chute I sothat when the coin is forced over it (at position C), the rocker H3 isrocked counterclockwise (Fig. -l). The rocker is guided underneath aplate Iil and carries an extension lit for pivoting at Ill with an armIII. The arm I28 reaches to a suitable coin-registering apparatus (notshown). Movement of the rod I23, due to actuation of the lip Ill by anaccepted coin, results in registering the proper amount, such as livecents (in the case oi a live-cent coin).

After the coin passes the lip Ill, it rolls a short distance along thetrack I and then drops freely from the wheel 51 and through the chute Ito the accepted-coin box (not shown).

Shortly after the coin (either accepted or rejected) leaves the wheel51; the spiral cam ll has rotated the distance necessary to cause thefinger 3| to open the switch 33, II, so that the motor 49 ceases todrive the rubber wheel The apparatus is then in condition for insertionoi the next coin, the lever ll having been pulled up by the biasingaction of spring 21 on the bar 23 and finger II in returning thefollower 31 to the center of the cam ll.

From the above, it will be seen that all a customer does is to drop therequisite coin into the chute 3. He is not required to force it into themachine for operation of any part.. The coin is entirely out of hiscontrol after he re-- leases it, and the device is therefore fool-proof.At the same time, a positive drive is eflected where required after thecoin enters the apparatus so that the action is dependable.

In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of theinvention are achieved, and other advantageous results attained.

Asmanychanges couldbemadeintheabove constructions. without departingfrom the scope of the invention. it is intended that all Mr contained inthe above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall beinterpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim: 7

1. A thermo-electric coin-controlled apparatus in which a oin formapartof a thermoelectric control circuit, comprising a support, power-drivencoin-driving means on the support, said support having a coin-receivingchute for gravity reception of coins for delivery to said coin-drivingmeans, a testing contact in the thermo-electric circuit adjacent to saidcoin-receiving chute, said coin-driving means automatically powerdriving the coin into forced engagement with said contact.

2. A thermo-electric coin-controlled apparatus in which a coin formspart of a. thermoelectric control circuit, comprising a support,power-driven coin-driving means on the support, said support having acoin-receiving chute for gravity reception of coins for delivery to saidcoin-driving means, an electrical testing contact in the thermo-electriccircuit adjacent to said coin-receiving chute, 'sadd coin-driving meansautomatically power driving the coin into forced engagement with saidcontact, and means positioned in advance of the testing contactresponsive to the descent of the coin for temporarily actuating saidcoin-driving means.

3. Thermo-eiectric coin testing apparatus in which a coin forms atemporary thermo-electric couple with part oi. an electric controlcircuit,

comprising a support, movable coin-driving means on the support, saidsupport having a coin-receiving chute adjacent to said coin-drivingmeans, a contact member located in said circuit and being adjacent tosaid coin-receiving chute to form said thermo-electric couple with thecoin, said coin-driving means being adapted in connection with the chutepositively to move the coin into engagement with said contact member, asecond contact in the circuit engaged by the coin while the coin engagesthe said contact member, separate coin chutes for rejected and acceptedcoins joining said receiving chute adjacent said contact member, thecoins being adapted to leave the contact member and drop clear of thecoin-drivingvmeans into one or the other of said separate chutes, theaccepted-coin chute being related to said coin-driving means so that acoin entering therein comes again into positive driving engagement withsaid movable means, and a deflector controlled from said circuit andlocated at the region where the coin drops clear to direct the coin intoone or the other of said separate chutes according to how the coin hasaflected said control circuit.

4. Thermo-electric coin testing apparatus in which a coin forms atemporary thermo-electric couple with part of an electric controlcircuit, comprising a support, rotary coin-driving means on the support,said support having a coin-receiving chute adjacent to said coin-drivingmeans, a contact member located in said circuit and being adjacent tosaid coin-receiving chute to form said thermo-electric couple with thecoin, said coin-driving means being adapted positively to move the coininto engagement with said contact member, a second contact in thecircuit engaged by the coin while the coin engages the said contactmember, separate chutes for rejected 4 accuses and accepted coinsjoining said receivin chute adjacent said contact member. the coinsbeing adapted to leave the contact membenand'drop clear of said rotarycoin-driving means into one or the other of said separate chutes, and adeflector controlled from said circuit and located at the region wherethe coin .drops clear to direct the coin into one or the other of saidseparate chutes according to how the coin has aflected said controlcircuit.

5. 'I'hermo-electric coin testing apparatus in which a coin forms atemporary thermo-electric couple with part of an electric controlcircuit, and comprising a support, rotary coin-driving means on thesupport, said support having a coinreceiving chute adjacent to saidcoin-driving means, a contact member located in said circuit and locatedadjacent to said coin-receiving chute to form a thermo-electric couplewith the coin, said coin-driving means being adapted positively to movethe coin into engagement with said contact member, a second contact inthe circuit engaged by the coin while the coin engages the said contactmember, separate chutes for rejected and accepted coins joining saidreceiving chute adjacent said contact member, the coin being adapted toleave the contact member and drop clear of said rotary means into one orthe other of said separate chutes, and a deflector controlled from saidcircuit and located at the region where the coin drops clear to directthe coin into one or the other of said separate chutes according to howthe coin has afl'ected said control circuit, the accepted-coin chutebeing related to said coindriving means so that a coin entering thereinagain comes into positive driving engagement with said coin-drivingmeans.

6. Thermo-electrlc coin testing apparatus in which a coin forms atemporary thermo-electric couple with part of an electric controlcircuit, comprising a support, a movable coin-driving wheel on thesupport, said support having a coinreceiving chute adjacent to saidcoin-driving means, a contact member in said circuit and locatedadjacent to said coin-receiving chute, said moving means being adaptedpositively to move the coin into engagement with said contact member, asecond contact in the circuit engaged by the coin while the coin engagesthe said contact member, separate chutes for respectively receivingrejected or accepted coins and joining said receiving chute adjacentsaid contact member, the coin being adapted to leave the contact memberand move from the wheel into the chute for rejected coins or the chutefor accepted coins, a deflector responsive to action of said controlcircuit for guiding the coin into one or the other of said chutesdepending upon how the thermoelectric couple action of the coin hasaflected the circuit, the accepted-coin chute being related to saidwheel so that a coin dropped therein again comes into positive drivingengagement with said wheel, and coin-operated means engageable by thepositively-moved coin in the accepted-coin chute.

'l. Thermo-electric coin testing apparatus in which a coin forms atemporary thermo-electric couple with part of an electric controlcircuit, a su p rt, movable coin-forcing means on the support, saidsupport including a coin-receiving chute adjacent to said movable meansto force the coin into rolling engagement with said coinforcing means. acontact member in said circuit and located adjacent the coin-receivingchute with which contact member the coin is forced into engagement, asecond contact in the circuit en- Baged by the coin while the coinengages the said contact member, rejectedand accepted-coin chutesjoining said coin-receiving chute adjacent said contact member, meanswhereby the coin falls clear of the forcing means after leaving saidcontact member and before falling into either of the coin chutes, ashiftable deflector controlled from said circuit and located fordeflecting rejectable coins from entry into the accepted-coin chute andinto the rejected-coin chute, the control means for the deflectorincluding means normally latching said deflector to close theaccepted-coin chute and means for shifting it to pass coins to theaccepted chute.

8. Thermo-electriccoin testing apparatus in which a coin forms atemporary thermo-electric couple with part of an electric controlcircuit, a support, movable coin-forcing means on the support, saidsupport including a coin-receiving chute adjacent to said forcing meansto force the coin into rolling engagement with said movable means, acontact member in said circuit and located adjacent the coin-receiving'chute, with which contact member the coin is forced into engagement, asecond contact in the circuit engaged by the coin while. the coinengages the said contact member, rejectedand accepted- ,coin chutesjoining said coin-receiving chute adjacent said contact member, meanswhereby the coin falls clear of the forcing means after leaving saidcontact member and before falling into either of the coin chutes, adeflector controlled from said circuit and located for deflectingrejectable coins from entry into the accepted-coin chute and into therejected-coin chute, the control means for the deflector including meansnormally latching said deflector to close the accepted-coin chute butadapted to release the deflector upon proper current from the contactmember to permit it to move away from deflecting position so as topermit an acceptable coin to enter the accepted-coin chute.

9. Thermo-electric coin testing apparatus in which a coin forms atemporary thermo-electric couple with part of an electric controlcircuit, a support, movable coin-forcing means on the support, saidsupport including a coin-receiving chute adjacent to said movable meansto force the coin into rolling engagement with said forcing means, acontact member in said circuit and located adjacent the coin-receivingchute into engagement with which contact member the coin is forced, asecond contact in the circuit engaged by the coin while the coin engagesthe said contact member, rejectedand accepted-coin chutes joining saidcoin-receiving chute adjacent said contact member, means whereby thecoin falls clear of the forcing means after leaving said contact memberand before falling into either of the coin chutes, a shiftable deflectoroperative from said circuit for deflecting rejectable coins from entryinto the accepted-coin chute and into the rejected-coin chute, thedeflector-operating means including means normally latching saiddeflector to close the accepted-coin chute but adapted to release thedeflector upon proper current from the contact member to permit it tomove away from the deflecting position so as to permit the coin to enterthe accepted-coin chute, and means whereby the coin when it enters theaccepted-coin chute is re-engaged with the movable forcing means forpositive advance into,

the accepted-coin chute.

10. 'I'liermo-electric coin testing apparatus 'in aseasss which a coinforms a temporary theme-electric couple with part of an electric controlcircuit. a

support, movable coin-forcing means on the support, said supportincluding a coin-receiving chute adjacent to said forcing means to forcethe coin into engagement with said forcing means, a contact member insaid circuit and located adjacent the coin-receiving chute intoengagement 7 coin chute, means responsive to currentsupplied by saidcircuit for normally latching said de- ,flector to close theaccepted-coin chute but unlatch'ing the deflector upon proper currentfromthe contact member to permit an acceptable coin to enter theaccepted-coin chute, means whereby the coin when it enters theaccepted-coin chute is re-engaged with the forcing means for positiveadvance into the accepted-coin chute, and resetting means for thedeflector operable by the coin when driven in the accepted-coin chute bythe forcing means.

11. Thermo-electric coin testing apparatus in which a coin forms atemporary thermo-electric couple with part of an electric controlcircuit, a support, movable coin-forcing meanson'the support, saidsupport including a coin-receiving chute adjacent to said movable meansto force the coin into engagement with said forging means, a contactmember in said circuit and located adjacent the coin-receiving chuteinto engagement with which contact member the coin is forced, a secondcontact in the circuitengaged by the coin while the coin engages thesaid contact member, rejectedand acceptedcoin chutes joining saidcoin-receiving chute adjacent said contact member, means whereby thecoin falls clear of the forcing means after leaving said contact memberand before falling into either the rejectedor accepted-coin chute, adeflector controlled from said circuit for deflecting rejectable coinsfrom entry into the accepted-coin chute and into the rejected-coinchute, means responsive to current supplied by said circuit for normallylatching said deflector to close the accepted-coin chute but adapted tounlatch the deflector upon proper current from the contact member topermit an acceptable coin to enter the accepted-coin chute, meanswhereby the coin when it enters the accepted-coin chute is re-engagedwith the forcing means for positive advance into the accepted-coinchute, and resetting means for latching the deflector operable by thecoin when driven in the acceptedcoin chute by the forcing means.

12. Thermo-electric coin testing apparatus in which a coin forms part ofan electric control circuit, and having a pair of contact members insaid electrical circuit for controlling a deflector for rejectable andacceptable coins, comprising a sup.

port, a rotary coin-driving wheel on the support, said support includinga coin-receiving chute for directing the coin into engaging positionwith the wheel, said receiving chute being arranged so that the wheelrolls the coin into positive engagethereafter releases the coin, saidsupport also having a rejectedand accepted-coin chute communicating withthe coin-receiving chute at the point where the coin is released, acoin-deflecting mechanism comprising a deflector biased to admit a cointo the accepted-coin chute and normally held in a position to deflect acoin into the rejected-coin chute, electromagnetic means in said circuitadapted to release the'deflector from its held position in response tothe thermo-electric eflect of an acceptable coin on the circuit when inengagement with said positively engaged contact member, whereupon theacceptable coin drops into the accepted-coin chute, said accepted-coinchute being located with respect to the driving wheel to' again forcethe coin into driving engagement therewith positively to force it intothe accepted-coin chute, and resetting means for the deflectorengageable by the coin while being forced into the accepted-coin chuteto re-set the deflector to a position for deflecting coins to therejected-coin chute.

l3. Thermo-electric coin testing apparatus in which a coin forms part ofan electric control circuit, and having a pair of contact members insaid electrical circuit for controlling a deflector for reiectable andacceptable coins, comprising a support, a rotary coin-driving wheel onthe support, said support including a coin-receiving chute for directingthe coin into engaging position with the wheel, said receiving chutebeing arranged so that 1 driving action of the wheel rollsthe coin intopositive engagement with one of said pair of contact members, saidsupport also having a rejectedand an-accepted-coin chute communicatingwith the coin-receiving chute at the point wherethe coin is released, acoin-deflecting mechanism comprising a deflector biased to admit a cointo the accepted-coin chute, and normally held in a position by meansresponsive to current supplied by the circuit to deflect a coin into therejected-coin chute, electromagnetic means in said circuit adapted torelease the deflector from its held position in response to thethermo-electric effect of an acceptable coin on the circuit when inengagement with said positively engaged contact member,'whereupon theacceptable coin drops into the accepted-coin chute, said accepted-coinchute being located with respect to the driving wheel to wedge the coininto driving engagement therewith positively to force it through theaccepted-coin chute, and resetting means for the deflector engageable bythe coin while being forced in the acceptedcoin chute to reset thedeflector to a position for deflecting coins to the rejected-coin chute.

14. Thermo-electric coin testing apparatus in which a coinforms part ofan electric control circuit, and having a pair of contact members insaid electrical circuit for controlling a deflector for rejectable andacceptable coins, comprising a support, a rotary coin-driving wheel onthe support, said support including a coin-receiving chute for directingthe coin into engaging position with the wheel, said receiving chutebeing arranged so that driving action of the wheel rolls the coin intopositive engagement with one of said pair of contact members andthereafter releases the coin, said support also having a rejectedand anaccepted-coin chute communicating with the coin-receiving chute at thepoint where the coin is released, a coin-deflecting mechanism comprisinga deflectorbiased to admit a coin to the accepted-coin chute, and nor:

ment with one of said contact members and 7s mally held in a position todeflect a coin into the rejected-coin chute, electromagnetic means insaid circuit adapted to release the deflector from its held position inresponse to the thermoelectric eflect or an acceptable coin on thecircuit when in engagement with said positively engaged contact member,whereupon the acceptable coin drops into the accepted-coin chute, saidaccepted-coin chute being located with respect to the driving wheel toagain wedge the coin into driving engagement therewith positively toforce it in the accepted-coin chute, resetting means for the deflectorengageable by the coin while being forced in the accepted-coin chute toreset the deflector to a position for deflecting coins to therejected-coin chute, means for rotating the coin- -driving means apredetermined amount, and

switch means actuated by any coin placed in the coin-receiving chute forstarting said rotating means.

15. Thermo-electric coin testing apparatus in which a coin forms atemporary thermo-electric couple, a contact member located in anelectrical circuit for controlling a deflector for selecting coins,comprising a support, power coin-drivin means on the support, saidsupport having a coin-receiving chute for gravity reception of coins fordelivery to said coin-driving means, said contact member being exposedin said coin-receiving chute, a second contact member and exposed insaid coin-receiving chute, and means for energizing said coin-drivingmeans in response to passage of a coin into said chute automatical- 1yto move the coin into forced engagement with said one contact memberwhile maintaining contact with the other.

16. Thermo-electric coin testing apparatus in which a coin forms atemporary thermo-electrlc couple, a contact member in an electricalcircuit for controlling a deflector for selecting coins, comprising asupport, power coin-driving means on the support, said support having acoin-receiving chute for gravity reception of coins for delivery to saidcoin-driving means, said contact member being exposed in saidcoin-receiving chute, a second contact member and exposed in saidcoin-receiving chute, and means for energizing said coin-driving meansover a predetermined period in response to passage of a coin into saidchute automatically to move the coin into forced engagement with andpast said one contact member while maintaining contact with the other.

17. Thermo-electric coin testing apparatus in which a coin forms atemporary thermo-electric couple, a contact member in an electricalcircuit for controlling a deflector for reiectable and acceptable coins,comprising a support, power coindriving means on the support, saidsupport having a coin-receiving chute for gravity reception of a coinfor delivery to said coin-driving means, said contact member beingexposed in said coinrecelving chute, a second contact member and exposedin said coin-receiving chute, said coindriving means in response topassage of a coin into said chute automatically moving the coin intoforced engagement with said one contact member while maintaining contactwith the other, separate chutes ior rejected and accepted coins for thereception of coins that pass said contact members, one or the other ofsaid lastnamed chutes receiving the coin depending upon the setting ofsaid deflector as determined by the eflect of the coin in saidelectrical circuit, means in the accepted-coin chute cooperated withsaid coin-driving means to eilect forced movement of the coin, and meansassociated with said deflector for resetting it in response to thelast-named forced movement of the coin in the accepted-coin chute.

18. In coin-controlled apparatus, coimdriving means, a spiral cam and amotor connected for rotation of the cam, a switch, a follower for thecam, means biasing the follower toward cooperation with the cam at astarting point, said follower being driven by the cam fromswitch-closing to switch-opening position, and means responsive only toinsertion of a coin to guide the follower clear of the cam to theswitch-opening position of the follower.

19. In coin-controlled apparatus, coin-driving means, a spiral cam and amotor connected for rotating it, a switch, the follower for the camcomprising a rocker, means biasing the rocker toward cooperation at astarting point on the cam, said follower being adapted under said biasto be driven by the cam from switch-closing to switchopening position,and means responsive to insertion of a coin to hold the rocker clear 01the cam during movement from the switch-opening position whereby therocker is biased to the starting position on said cam without assumin anintermediate cooperating position therewith.

BENJAMIN W. FRY.

